Krameria

Krameria
K. lappacea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Zygophyllales
Family: Krameriaceae
Dumort.[2]
Genus: Krameria
L.[1]
Species

17–18 – see text

Krameria is the only genus in the Krameriaceae family, of which any of the approximately 18 species[3] are commonly known as rhatany, ratany or rattany. Rhatany is also the name given to krameria root, a botanical remedy consisting of the dried root of para rhatany (Krameria argentea) or Peruvian rhatany (Krameria lappacea).

The biological action of rhatany is caused by the astringent rhataniatannic acid, which is similar to tannic acid.[4] Infusions have been used as a gargle, a lozenge, especially when mixed with cocaine,[4] as a local hemostatic[4] and remedy for diarrhea. When finely powdered, the dried roots furnished a frequent constituent of tooth powders. The powdered roots have also served, especially in Portugal, to color wines ruby red. The root bark contains an almost insoluble free red substance called ratanhia red.

  1. ^ "Genus: Krameria L." Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2005-01-31. Archived from the original on 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  2. ^ Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2009). "An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III" (PDF). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 161 (2): 105–121. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x. hdl:10654/18083. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
  3. ^ Christenhusz, M. J. M.; Byng, J. W. (2016). "The number of known plants species in the world and its annual increase". Phytotaxa. 261 (3): 201–217. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.261.3.1.
  4. ^ a b c Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Rhatany" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 7 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 231.